Approval to operate

Environment and Protected Areas, under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), is responsible for regulating wastewater treatment systems in Alberta. We follow strict approval limits and other regulations to ensure monitoring and river water quality provisions are in place at all of our wastewater treatment facilities.

The Edmonton wastewater system includes the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant (GBWWTP), the Clover Bar Biosolids Resource Recovery Facility (CBBRRF), and more than 4,200 km of sanitary and combined wastewater pipes.

Under the EPEA, EPCOR was required to apply for renewal of our existing approval. Renewing our approval to operate is an important part of our commitment to excellence in how we maintain, operate and upgrade the Edmonton wastewater system.

In September 2024, we applied to Environment and Protected Areas to renew our EPEA approval for the Edmonton wastewater system. The application:

• Provided a detailed overview of the system, its operations, and its environmental impact;
• Outlined proposed upgrades and improvements to ensure the system's continued compliance with environmental regulations and its ability to serve the growing population of Edmonton;
• Detailed our efforts to reduce odours, control air emissions, and manage energy consumption;
• And described plans for public consultation throughout the approval renewal process.

After our application was filed, there was a public notice and 30‑day comment period, pre-consultation with Indigenous communities and the Community Liaison Group, and a technical review by  Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. The approval (number 00000639-04) was issued on January 16, 2026, and is valid for 10 years.

Related content:

• Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Edmonton wastewater system approval to operate renewal – 2025 application
• Notice of application
• Alberta Environment and Protected Areas Approval Viewer (enter Approval number 00000639)

Questions?

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Contact EPCOR

Phone: 780-412-3599